Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
sonible smart:limit is an AI true-peak limiter with Instant Impact Prediction, publishing targets, Quality Check, and sound-shaping (Style, Saturation, Balance, Bass).
Softube Weiss MM-1 is a mastering maximizer built from DS1-MK3 algorithms, with five styles (Transparent, Loud, Punch, Wide, Deess) driven by Amount and Mix.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, Softube Weiss MM-1 comes out ahead (8.9). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | sonible smart:limit | Softube Weiss MM-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €129 | $199 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.7 | 8.9 |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Type | Intelligent true-peak limiter with loudness guidance | Mastering maximizer (compressor + brick-wall limiter workflow) |
| Key tech | Content-aware analysis, automatic parametrization, Instant Impact Prediction | — |
| Monitoring | Integrated / short-term / momentary LUFS; Loudness Range; dynamics (peak-to-loudness based); True Peak (dBTP) via high-res oversampling; gain reduction | — |
| Guidance | Publishing targets, loudness & dynamics grid, Quality Check | — |
| Sound shaping | Style (soft↔hard), Saturation, Balance (spectral polish), Bass Control | — |
| Manual controls | Full manual access to limiter parameters (incl. attack/release) with or without auto setup | — |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | AU, VST, VST3, AAX |
| Channel layouts | Mono, stereo, Dolby Surround 5.1 (per sonible specs) | — |
| Sample rates | 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz | — |
| Authorization | Machine-based (2 systems typical) or iLok transfer via sonible account | Softube account + iLok; three activations; trial available |
| List price | €129 (sales and bundles common—smart:essentials with smart:EQ / smart:comp) | $199 USD (sales common; confirm Softube store) |
| Trial | Time-limited full trial from sonible (confirm current demo length) | — |
| Algorithm base | — | Weiss DS1-MK3 code-ported dynamics (Softube + Weiss Engineering) |
| Styles | — | Transparent, Loud, Punch, Wide, Deess |
| Primary controls | — | Style, Amount, Parallel Mix, output ceiling / limiter gain (side panel) |
| Architecture | — | Style-defined compression path into brick-wall limiting |
| Stereo notes | — | Wide and Deess styles lean on mid/side-oriented processing; others more conventional stereo |
| Platforms | — | macOS Sonoma 14 / Sequoia 15 / Tahoe 26; Windows 10–11 64-bit |
| Related flagship | — | Weiss DS1-MK3 (deeper control; typically includes MM-1) |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.